E3 2000: 989 Prepares PS2 Lineup

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Want your favorite Sony sports titles on PS2? You Got 'em!

By Fabian Blache III

The PlayStation 2 already enjoys stellar support from a multitude of powerhouse developers and publishers. Hence, it would seem obvious that 989 would come strong for its brand new sibling. So how about five sports titles to sweeten the pot?

From the moment PS2 was announced, anyone that has enjoyed playing these titles instantly began to daydream about the potential of GameDay and FaceOff on Sony's new hardcore hardware. The folks at 989 are aiming to please and plan not to disappoint.

NFL GameDay 2001 The first accolade, for PS2 GameDay, will most likely go the graphics. 989 Sports characterizes its new visuals as "jaw-dropping." In harnessing the new raw power, certain graphic enhancements are laced in the minutiae including player's jersey showing grass and mud stains and visible vapor as the players' breath in cold climates.

The stadiums are being touted as "true 3D" making use of photo realistic models to bring forth additional architectural enhancements. Also keep an eye out for detailed facial features, armbands, and protective neck rolls. Physics-based 3D collisions, jukes, stiff arms, tackles will give your new Dual Shock 2 a work out that would make Vince Lombardi proud.

NCAA GameBreaker 2001 For you college football fanatics... and anyone who knows someone totally into college ball can verify that they are fanatics... GameBreaker 2001 will rock your tube! It'll have the play calling by Keith Jackson, the Total Control Passing, and Max Pro blocking enhancements in addition to properly scaled player models, a plethora of newly improved moves, and a graphic upgrade just like its Pro counterpart.

Imagine the intensity level of seeing the game even closer to reality than ever before. Imagine the sweat in your palms as you attempt to navigate hostile terrain with nimble but fragile college running backs. Imagine the explosive nature of running your options in an environment of clarity and deeper depth of field. Just imagine. That's what 989 is hoping you'll be doing until the release date.

NHL FaceOff 2001 Coming into its sixth incarnation with blades scraping and boards shaking, NHL FaceOff 2001 is poised to slam right into your living room. Including the 300 NHL teams, arenas and expansion Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild, this rink offering from 989 will certainly raise eyebrows and bars.

For example, how about four different head and hair types to keep the clone syndrome from dampening your enjoyment of this cyber-sport experience? The game will also feature animated crowds, who clap, drink (we hear they may actually throw beer bottles into the stands...joke!) beat on the glass, wave towels and move amidst the aisles during the game. "Siddown you *&^%$@! idiot!"

Announcers Mike Emrick of New Jersey and ESPN's Darren Pang deliver the commentary, as the camera provides a cinematic TV-style presentation of the beloved sport. With all that action and a Dual Shock, I can almost hear the need for some good 'ole Michael Buffer... "LLL-et's get ready to rrrRRRumble!"

NBA ShootOut 2001 Actual height, body weight and body styles are just a few of the punctuations that 989 has in store for PS2's first in-house hoops title. Players will even sport player specific goggles, tattoos and wristbands. They have jacked in 450 motion-captured animations inclusive of glass shattering dunks and all the requisite dribbling and flare maneuvers.

The game engine is new, so don't expect a slouch for a CPU opponent. Team specific playbooks designed by real NBA players are available, so there will be no room for excuses. And while the CPU is whuppin' yo' tail...Ian Eagle of the New Jersey Nets will be tellin' all your business to anyone listening. So get your Touch Shooting down clowns, NBA ShootOut 2001 is ready to millennium-ize yo' ass!

NCAA Final Four 2001 This game is being billed as the only college hoops game available for the PlayStation 2. Boasting 60 fps graphics with rich texture detail and lifelike player realism, college hoops will be flying high come launch time.

989 has gotten down the jerseys, headbands, sock lengths, wristbands, undershirts, kneepads and all that for the utmost in realism! Hey, they have even used actual blueprints to develop the stadium models. 989 has also included every Division I-A teams that make for a total of more than 300 -- each with individualized playbooks. Those familiar with past versions know that this game is one of the company's most solid. The PS2 should bring more bad out of this boy once it is finalized later this year.

We'll be back with more in-depth coverage of all five of these titles later on in the show.